How can I get my 5 y/o back on a good sleeping schedule before school starts?

Question

I guess I'm a bad parent because my kids (5 and 4) are used to staying up late with me every night. Sometimes till 2 or 3 am. How can I get him used to going to bed by 9:30 pm? He starts school in a few weeks, and I know it's gonna be hard for him to get up so early.

I don't need any criticism or negative comments. I am aware that this is not a good situation.

Thanks.

Answer 1

try telling him he has to be in bed a couple hours later each night and wake him up a couple hours later each day.if he goes to bed at 3:00 then tell him he has to be in bed by 12:00 one night then the next night he has to be in bed by 10:00 then the next night 9:30.the same thing with waking up.if school starts at 8:00 and he usally wakes up at 12:00 then  the next day wake him up at 10:00 then 8:00.

Answer 2

Wow that's late for such young children even if it is summer, you just need to start putting them to bed a little earlier every night and Not letting them sleep in so long if they do. Like start with about 45 min earlier each night, and getting them up a little earlier each day. Try giving them baths before bed to make them tireder

Answer 3

What my mom does with my younger siblings is:

She lets them stay up late as usual.

The next morning, she gets them up 30 minutes earlier then they usually do.

That makes them tired, and they go to bed a little earlier that night.

Repeat until they are back on schedule.

I know it's hard! You're not a bad mommy!

Answer 4

This sounds kind of whacked but wake him up at 7am every morning then at around 6 pm, keep all the lights off in the house, and pull the shades in his room.     Give him a warm bath after a hearty pasta dinner, or turkey dinner, and go to his room with the shades pulled and only a small light on. Play a short board game and read him some stories as you lay with him. Turn the light off and tell him some quiet fun stories that you make up and let him drift off to sleep.

Answer 5

well its going to be hard, but they must get up by eight or so. and then they will be ready 4 bed. Get them up, no naps, hard play, and start to take them to bed around 11:00 and keep stepping it back. You really need to try out what works before school starts.

Hope you figure it out.